Hyderabad: A list of 35 candidates have been finalised by All India Football Federation (AIFF) for the post of the Indian football team coach. The list also includes the likes of highly successful ex-Bengaluru FC manager Albert Roca and former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
The position of the Indian football coach has been left vacant ever since Englishman Stephen Constantine step down from his position following Blue Tigers group exit from 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Here is the list of five candidates who could be the next Indian football coach.
1- Sven-Goran Eriksson
Former Swedish player and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is the front runner for the post. Eriksson won eighteen trophies as manager. He was also in charge of the England national team for five years. Eriksson coached various clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, between 1979 and 2000. The 71-year-old was also the first manager to win league-and-cup doubles in three different countries.
Other than England, he also coached national teams of Mexico, Philippines and the Ivory Coast.
2- Albert Roca
Albert Roca is another name who can be next boss of Blue Tigers. During Roca's two year tenure as Bengaluru FC coach, the team played four finals. They also qualified for the finals of AFC Cup in 2016. he guided Bengaluru to the Federation Cup and the Super Cup.
However, Roca missed out on winning the AFC Cup and Indian Super League title with Bengaluru.
3- Lucas Alcaraz Gonzalez
Lucas Alcaraz Gonzalez is also among the frontrunner for coach position. Gonzalez has a managerial career of over two decades. The Spaniard spent 10 years in La Liga. He managed the team like Recreativo, Racing de Santander, Granada and Levante during his time in the Spanish league.
4- Håkan Ericson
The Swedish football manager Håkan Ericson is another name who could be named Stephen Constantine's successor as the Indian football coach. Hakan is the son of former Swedish national team coach Georg Ericson. The 52-year-old played for Aby IF, FK Kick and IK Sleipner during his playing career.
5- Lee Clark
Former England player and manager Lee Clark can also succeed his countryman Constantine as Blue Tigers coach. During his playing career, Clark played for Premier League teams likes Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham. He also made 11 appearances for the England under-21 team.
Clark also coached Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Kilmarnock, Bury and Newcastle United.
